Reality

Sometimes we want to live in the world we "hope is true" more than the one that is reality. Here is an example of what I mean:  Before we left Kenya I stubbled upon a shocking realization.  For fun, I just sit around and read ALL the papers the Adoption agency gave us.  I knew about the fee sheet, but I hadn't looked at it in a while because I knew there wasn't much we could do, as far as paying, until we had our home study in hand.  Once we have the home study in hand THEN we can apply for grants and things.  As I was reading it I figured out that we owe $7,480 upon submission of home study for approval.  THEN we owe another $7,500 upon submission of our Dossier.  OUCH!  I mean- we knew this was coming, but do you know that that is about a 2 or 3 week window between the 2 payments?  It just so happens that we have ALMOST everything to submit our dossier right now because we had to have it for our super-in-depth home study (due to the new I-800 process).  So yes, we owe about $15,000 in about a month and a half.  We have $2,200 thus far.  So here is the deal; as SOON as Little Angels gives us the home study, the grants are already filed out and waiting.  We will send those.  They take a while to hear back- that is why I am so anxious to get them in the mail!  As for the dossier, it will have to sit at our adoption agency until we come up with the money to pay for it.  I can't tell you how that breaks my heart.

  When my mind begins to wonder if some of the paperwork will begin to expire as it sits, I stop myself and remember something so vital:  the God who undoubtably called us to this will bring us ALL the way through it!  Not just to a certain point and stop.  ALL the way through. 

 We also found our that our friends the Austin's will only be referred one child instead of 2.  Apparently, there aren't 2 siblings ANYWHERE

 in all of Kenya's orphanages.  Yea... I know.  

That really disturbs him!

(Please call Chris' cell or email me if you would like to follow their blog I will give you the password.  THEY ARE AN AMAZING FAMILY- it will be WELL worth your read!)  As we were talking to our country coordinator about all of this money stuff we also asked what was up with that.  Apparently, Kenya has only been approving people for 1 child since November.  As we sat there in Robyn's office- I got really quiet with all of this talk. Robyn left the room for a few minutes to get a few things.  Chris began talking to me about the money side of things.  I asked him politely to please not talk about it until we could get out of the office.  I was already really teary.  I knew that if I did cry that I wasn't trusting that God is sovereign and that He loves our children far more than we do.  Chris being the wonderful optimist that he is- isn't worried about the money side one bit.  I love that about my man!  All this to say- if God lays it on your hearts- please pray for grants and monies!  We are missionaries, meaning we don't exactly "make money".  So it is all up to the Lord to provide it.

And the reality IS that God WILL do exactly what He says.  And it's so nice to be reminded of that simple truth!  

We have brought some nifty authentic African stuff to sell.  So if any one is looking for something ultra unique for a wedding, graduation, or birthday gift- come see us! 

 

the skinny...

My dearest 2 readers-

I know it's been like a week and a half!  It's been crazy I tell you.  I have to do this update very quickly though.

Here is the skinny- I've been holding my breath this whole time.  We finished with our homestudy last wenesday.  Aat the end of it we were reminding our social worker guy that we needed it by today, reviewed and approved- he acted very surprised like this was news to him.  I assured him that I talked with his boss and she assured me that they could have this DONE like 2 months ago.  He goes back talks to his boss and she tells him that when she promised us this she "wasn't thinking about the new I800 stuff".  So apparently we will not be coming home with Home study in hand.  Bummer- but not too much.  See, I figured out that we do not have to have our home study notarized b/c .... well there is no way to have a home study notarized here b/c it's on the Kenyan side.  So- no prob, right?  Well i called ol' Steve this morning b/c he did not respond to my text msg yesterday.  Finally he answered.  I told him I needed to have the the home study reviewed and mailed to us within 2 weeks- "can you assure me?" (b/c we are leaving to come to the U.S. of A. TONIGHT!)  He told me that he cannot assure me it will be done and mailed to us AT ALL.  

You guessed it- as soon as I dry my hair- my fanny is in the car driving to their office.  

This is not okay with me.  

love always,

one ticked mommy 

Das not Funny Friday and an UPDATE!

Funny stuff from this past week:  

• Kenyans call swimsuits-  "costumes".  I found that to be very hilarious.

• Whilst in Mombasa we were walking along the beach.  After hawkers had talked us to death- we finally realize that our "being nice" strategy was not working.  So We began ignoring them.  Some man finally said "Nice ladies, but NO talkie".  

• A few hours later I had a Kenyan say to me: "Hello.  You are white."  Just like that.  

I know, not all hysterical- but that's what I got, okay?

Adoption update:

My brother mailed all the rest of our paperwork.  Woah- not cheap.  But the good news is- we have EVERYTHING to complete the homestudy and almost everything for the dossier.  Sara and I sat down last night at the table together (Her hubby went up country with mine).  She explained so much and helped me with so many questions I had.  She helped me come up with some questions I needed to ask our country coordinator pronto.  So I called and talked to her last night.  After getting cut off 3 times I did get some clarity.  I still feel like I have SO much to do before we come home, but it will get done.  But I sort of need Chris back in the house to finish a lot of it.  I'm not able to turn in the papers in to our agency because they are closed for Easter until Tuesday.  I'm getting very pumped about getting things done and sent in to the Secretary of State AS SOON as we get home.  Hopefully we can take everything by there on our way to the coast.  Woot! Woot!  I just cannot get over what a God send The Austins are!  We are thoroughly enjoying their company on top of all their help.  

I am so encouraged and I really feel like things are starting to come together!!  Sara kept saying "Wow, that is really good.  You guys are doing well!"  Thanks for your prayers people!  

Khanga Smock Down

Miss K is modeling a lovely Khanga actually made for Miss Emma Gail Negron.  I began making this cute smock to (hopefully) sell to raise money for the adoption.  Actually, that isn't completely true. I made it for her because I am obsessed with Khanga's and I love my niece.  Since I ONLY know how to make a 2T this might limit the success rate we have with this.  So we have decided to purchase many other items to bring home in hopes people will go crazy over really cool African "stuff".  K is just over a year and a half and a premie.  So she is just a tad small anyway.  As you can see it it a bit big on her.

All Khanga's have a swahili saying of some sort on them.  This particular one says "God is Great."  So what do you think?  Any takers?  

Due to my obsession with Khanga's I will be bringing many of them home.  They can be used SOOOO many different ways.  And they hold up very well!  Hopefully very soon I will do a post on all the different uses of a Khanga.  

Fingerprints- CHECK!

Chris and I recently took a good look at our prayer lives and found them to be lacking significantly.  So we decided to actually "do" something about it.  We knew we needed a plan and needed to take action.  We started about 2 weeks ago praying together every morning for over an hour.  I assure you I do not say that to boast- we really do have THAT much stuff to pray about.  I will be the first to tell you that the direction of my prayers are a complete product of A.D.D.  I'm not very focused but praying out loud and together HAS helped me... a bit.  I know that most of you reading have seen the effects of the power of prayer in your own lives and you all have special and unique stories.  

Here is ours:  2 weeks ago my mom sent off our fingerprints to the FBI for our criminal background checks.  We had them done here at the embassy.  All of our adopting friends we asked said it took them 4-5 weeks to get their prints back.  Well, we were really cutting it close b/c we were planning on returning to the states in 5 weeks from that time.  Chris and I prayed specifically every single day that the Lord would see fit for those fingerprints to make their way there and back SO fast.  Well- you guessed it.  Both came back within 2 weeks.  My brother is in the midst of sending us ALL the rest of our needed paperwork tomorrow.  I couldn't be more thrilled.  This will COMPLETE the homestudy and the rest of the documents needed for the I800.

THEN I found myself getting a bit anxious and nervous about the paperwork actually getting all the way over here.  Then it hit me.  Is the same God that brought our fingerprints back from the FBI faster that normal not the same God that is hand carrying these papers to us?  Why do we tend to doubt even despite his continual faithfulness?  Am I not a believer in God's complete sovereignty?  

Thank you Lord for your impeccable timing- always!

On a side note, our friends the Austin's just moved in with us Yesterday.  We are THRILLED to have them and their children with us.  They remind us so much of all our friends back home.  This week they were approved by the adoption committee to adopt.  So now they are waiting to be matched with their children!  Whoopie!  If you wo

uld like to follow them you will need to send them a quick email asking to have the password to their blog- I promise it will be well worth it!  Just click here to find out how to sign up for their blog.

I will take pictures soon of their great family and have them up!  

Shauna and I leave Saturday night to take a bus to Mombassa for a few days while the boys are in Kakamega.  They come back Sunday night then leave again on Thursday for Kirecho for a youth conference!  Unfortunately we will miss the boys by just a few hours next Thursday.  Just wanted you all to know we will be MIA for a bit!  But check out the Austin's while we are gone.  They will be holding down the fort for us.

  

A random picture

of Shaggy and puppies 

for your enjoyment